James G. Willie

James Grey Willie (November 1, 1814 – 1895) is one of the most well-remembered leaders of the Latter-day Saint handcart pioneers.

Willie was born in Murrell Green, Hampshire, England. He emigrated to the United States in 1836. He joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1842. [http://www.handcart.com/williecompanybody.htm Willie Handcart Company] , handcart.com, accessed 2008-02-26.]

Willie first came to Utah Territory in 1847 in Jedediah M. Grant's Mormon pioneer company.

In 1852, Willie returned to England as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was at the end of his time as a missionary that he became a leader in the movement of Latter-day Saints to Utah Territory.

Willie led the fourth handcart company [ [http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompany/0,15797,4017-1-319,00.html Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847–1868: James G. Willie Company (1856)] , lds.org, accessed 2008-02-26.] which was one of the two that was stuck in present-day Wyoming in the late autumn of 1856 and had many members die. He had previously been the presiding elder over the Latter-day Saints on the "Thornton" on its journey from Liverpool to Boston. [ [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bspackman/histories/Ann.htm History of Ann Mathews Perkins] , rootsweb.com, accessed 2008-02-26.] Many of the people on this journey became part of his handcart company.

Later, Willie was one of the early settlers of Mendon, Utah. He served at times as mayor and postmaster of the town. [ [http://www.mormonhistoricsitesregistry.org/USA/utah/mendon/willieHouse/history.htm James G. Willie Rock Home] , mormonhistoricsitesregistry.com, accessed 2008-02-26.] In 1863, Willie founded the first Sunday School in Mendon. He also served as a counselor in the bishopric and ran a co-operative store. [ [http://www.mendonutah.net/history/ward/mendon.htm History of the Mendon Ward] , mendonutah.net, accessed 2008-02-26.]

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